Regency Robe Diary, part III

It is finished! =)

See more pictures here ...

...and I have the dress listed too

Regency Robe Diary, part II

So far so good!

I was able to get the top part sewn up without a flinch this afternoon. I changed the front band a little bit, and like the results better...



Now I just need to add the buttons, and do the skirts. I can't say that I anticipate the latter part only because I've never done double-pleats before. Is it basically doing an inverted pleat and then doing another one on top of what you just did?

I also wasn't sure how much fabric I'd need for the skirts, but I want it to be full, so this shall be an experiment...

Regency Robe Diary, part I

I thought I'd make a little sewing diary while working on the Regency robe. It may not be extensive, as once I get started, it takes A LOT for me to stop. =) So anyway, here it goes....


Many of my sewing friends create what they refer to as "muslins." Basically, it is using muslin, cheap fabric, or scraps to use as a "tester" for a new project. Being a person who invisions something in my head, I usually just start cutting into fabric and just do it "free hand" to how I want it. But after a few mishaps, and as I find myself buying more fabric on the "quality" side and not your $1 a yard fabric from Walmart, I am realizing that it DOES pay to make a "test run."

One gifted friend of mine does amazing alterations to her clothes, clothes from thrift stores, or clothes that she passes onto her sisters, and it always baffles me as to how she does it! If I try to alter something already sewn, it usually ends up into a nightmare! =)

So that all said, I figured that if I was going to attempt to make something with good fabric (::cough:: sometimes you have to pay for what you want to get!) I had better take the time and energy to do make a muslin first.

But first of all, I had to make the pattern. Using the basic Regency gown pattern from Sense & Sensibility, I slightly altered the back pieces and then drew free-handly, with the help of some pictures, the front parts.

Being happy with the pattern, I began sewing...

And this is what I got:


Though being fairly pleased, the front side area seemed to gape quite a bit, and looked like it needed a dart. So for the lining of my muslin, I sewed a dart in, and then cut the "outer" layer according to the shape of the new front part since I don't want an actual dart in the finished product. After I tried on the finished muslin, it fit like a charm! =)

I will still probably alter the front band part. It looks like it needs a little bit more something where it and the front piece meet. Maybe like an inch taller up at the top...

Planning on then cutting into my peach material, I had the idea of first making an olive green linen robe to match the above Regency dress, which will be listed on ebay hopefully within the next day or so, just as a first run tester. I am 99.99% sure that it will work, but "just in case"...


And thanks to JoAnn's having their linen and buttons on sale, I was able to purchase what I had in mind! My next step is cutting it out.

Stay tuned!

Edited to add: PTL! Erin's website is finally working after it being down for several weeks!!

Regency Rambles

If I would write down all that I was wanting to sew, I would probably keep busy for the next year or so if I sewed everyday, all day. =)

Right now, I am wanting to make a Regency half-robe (anybody know the real term?) that was worn over a dress when outside. It looks something like this:

I would like to make one as close to looking like the peach one, one as much as I can. What I will wear it for, I have no idea. But for some reason, I feel like dressing up "Regency style." =) I love so many of the gowns that Marianne wears on the 1995 version of Sense & Sensibility... ::sighs:: I have seen the new S&S, and though I like it alot, I still prefer the older one.

Anyway, thanks to an obliging sweet lady from the sewing board, I've been given directions on how to make one of these! She made one for herself after one like what Jane wears on the 2005 P&P. You can see Anna's lovely duplicate here.

...Oh, and I wanted to add... If anyone is interested, someone is selling a silk Regency gown that I made. It appears that the lady bought it for just a "one-time" event. Can you imagine?! Anyway, if you're curious, the link is here.

Of a broken computer and etsy shops

Well, we have had a computer that decided that it doesn't want to boot up, and so thankfully my sister has a laptop that I can use until Daddy is able to fix the family computer. I thought I'd have to wait to add some things to my etsy shop, but I was able to load them up from this computer just a little bit ago. Yay! I have a feeling that I could easily love sewing for my etsy shop... =)

If you haven't noticed already, I do have a link-list of other etsy shops that I've come across, and if anyone else out there has one and they'd like a link to it, please feel free to let me know about it, and I will consider adding a link to your shop with the others. I love to support and encourage young women (and maybe not-so-young women) who are earning some income from home!

Sneak Peak!

After being gone all last week, I had no time to sew for my new little shop. But I did have a couple things already-sewn that I have added to it, and I hope that with some time to sew this week, I can add more things as I finish them!

Click here to see my little etsy shop!

EDITED TO ADD: Those aprons sold quickly! I am trying to contrain myself, by allowing only the morning hours for sewing while leaving the afternoon and evening for violin practice. =) I was able to finish up another charming apron, which I have listed, and decided to try selling tatted bookmarks too! Take a look if your curious! =) Hope to continue to add more stuff this week...

::Drumroll:: Our winner is....

...Joanne R. who wins the denim tote bag! (Yes, Mrs. R, it will match a skirt that you purchased when we had a sewing business) =)

Congrats, and I will get that shipped off today!

Peasant Cottage

In a couple of weeks, I will be opening an etsy shop. Right now it will be filled with aprons made from vintage patterns, but I'd like to eventually add more things.

Any ideas or suggestions? Please keep in mind that patterns cannot be under copyright, other wise it would be illegal to reproduce and make a profit despite all the alterations I'd make to the pattern (something I've learned in the last several months...).

The Blue Tote Bag Giveaway

I couldn't help myself by making three more tote bags, though one is not pictured because I am keeping it(!), using the fun and easy McCalls 3136 pattern! And am offering another giveaway this month! The three to choose from are, from left to right: a chambray, a denim, or a linen (which you've seen before).

They all have pockets to hold little treasures...

And they all have little unique finishing touches...

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Details:

And yes, I am only giving away one tote bag, so all you have to do to enter, is leave a comment with your name (first name and last initial, please) and say which one you'd like! You may not enter twice.

I will randomly choose a winner Monday morning, and will post the winner shortly thereafter.

Well, she does it again!

My friend Amanda has just designed another beautiful and charming 1910's-inspired dress! Everything about it is just delightful! Look at the details...!

And she is offering a great sale right now too, so do go over there and check out her lovely patterns!

Are you ready to sew?

Someone posted the following on the sewing board I'm on, and I found it so charming that I had to put it up here too:

Tips for Preparing Yourself for Sewing
(from a 1949 Singer Sewing manual)

Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do ... never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically. Good results are difficult when indifference predominates. Never try to sew with a sink full of dishes or beds unmade. When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do these first so your mind is free to enjoy your sewing.

When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Put on a clean dress ... Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on with care ... If you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing as you should.

And a random question for you all: If this was your fabric, what would you make with it? I bought 11-1/2 yards from a S&S member who has an etsy shop, and it was so cheap that I almost feel like I stole it from her! =)

Anyway, I fell in love with it. It sort of has that toile look (Which I love! English stuff intrigues me. It probably doesn't have anything to do with family history and being prodomantly English... ::wink::) and I do have a couple ideas, I'm open to more!

They are now released!!!

Though this has nothing to do with sewing projects, it is a project that we are excited about! Erin's second harp recording is now available for ordering. The CD's are on the way to the house, and we all are anticipating the UPS driver to drop off 1,000 CD's next week. =)

If any of you are interested, she has more info on her website for this new recording, as well as a sound clip that was JUST put up there as of a minute ago ... it's one of my favorites too. =)